Does anyone else notice a change in libido and mood while taking 6mp? I am stuggling with figuring out if it is the meds or just the stress of life, but it seems like this all started when I started my meds a few years ago. Anyone else experience that? please help!

That's not listed as a side effect of purinethol anywhere I can find. Fatigue is -- so maybe a connection there, though everything I have ever seen on decreased libido points to psychological rather than physical causes first, especially in women, absent any hormonal or menopausal changes.

Great topic . . . and . . ummmm . . . not talked about enough because its so hard to talk about.

I don't take 6mp . . . but this seems to be a common problem with any chronically illness. I can suggest that making your special plans BEFORE meals is very helpful. This helps blood flow issues (this is important for men and women) and it improves the chances that there will be minimal abdominal distress. It also moves your special time away from normal bedtime . . . when all of us are pretty much done-in anyway.

When I ask my hubby "Would you like a late dinner tonight?" . . . he know exactly what I mean!!

I hope this helps!

Blessings!

In His Grip

AlwaysRosie "We can't control the waves, but we can learn how to surf!!"

I have to agree with Rosie, I think the disease itself really affects us alot more than the medications. I only take Asacol, but my libido is very low all the time. I think the fatigue, aches and pains etc really add to the problem. JMHOBeen living with Crohn's Disease for 32 years. Currently on Asacol, Prilosec 60 mg, Estrace, Prinivil, Diltiazem, Percoset prn for pain and Calcium. Resections in 2002 and 2005. Recently diagnosed with Fibromyalgia and doing tests to see if I have Inflammatory Arthritis or AS.

i agree, the disease is not a help... Plus who feels in the mood when you are worried you need to use the bathroom or might accidentally fart, (my ultimate fear)

I also think some meds might have libido effects but not listed as a side effect. Just think about it most people are not honest on this subject so why would the test subjects for the medicines be honest? they may not even realize the drug is causing them less libido and then it might not make the drug's side effects list. just my opinion...

Hey Karen . . . the tooting really is embarrassing. But our hubby's will all agree that it really isn't an issue with them. Have you talked about it? *blush* I used to really try to hold it back. But you know that's not going to work . . . . so now I try and get it over with all at once so it will be done. *sigh* Hubby understanding and we now just try to ignore it. Actually even this aspect is better if we plan it before a meal.

Blessings!

In His Grip

AlwaysRosie "We can't control the waves, but we can learn how to surf!!"

I've been on 6mp for 5 or 6 years and I haven't had a problem with it. On the other hand, my wife has RA, depression, allergies, Ulcerative Colitis, and general all around being pissed at the world, and has been on just about every medication know to man, vitamins, supplements, witch doctors whatever.

I can tell you that she has ZERO libido, and it isn't the medication. She's changed her meds more times that I go to the bathroom and nothing has changed. We've tried talking with her doctors, therapists, pastors, books, internet, you name it, and still, nothing. I really think it is the stress. While she does so much to try and control her disease, she does not have the ability to control how she handles stressful situaitons. She takes xanax like they were m&m's. I really think stress is the trigger.

sorry for the rant, just a sore point for me. I hope you get it worked out.Matthew McKenna,

Boy, Matt I sure hope you two have lots of bathrooms in your house. You with Crohns and her with UC what a pair. But it has to be a good thing too as you both understand what the other is suffering.Been living with Crohn's Disease for 32 years. Currently on Asacol, Prilosec 60 mg, Estrace, Prinivil, Diltiazem, Percoset prn for pain and Calcium. Resections in 2002 and 2005. Recently diagnosed with Fibromyalgia and doing tests to see if I have Inflammatory Arthritis or AS.

Umm, I was a little young while on 6mp to have understood the effectsin this situation, however, Mood changes and Mood Swings were a definite side effects while on 6mp. Although I tried to hide what was going on and pretend it was all ok outside of my home, I was definitely very moody and lots of things, Random things triggered it.

The disease itself has a lot to do with this, but the meds dont help at all!

PS... Matt, hang in there. **"While she does so much to try and control her disease, she does not have the ability to control how she handles stressful situaitons."**I go through the same things... I realize whats going on with me but cant control it and my BF couldnt be anymore understanding!! When I am in a good or ok mood, we d eal with it then! You sound like your doing a good job to help her deal with it!! Props to You!!Loves & Always Smiles,

If this is true, I think that my wife must have been taking my 6-mp. j/k Actually, from another male perspective, I found out that many of these drugs can deplete our body of so many vitamins and chemicals. When I first started seeing a Rheumatologist, she did all the blood work tests and bone scans to see if I was deficient of anything. I was shocked when the tests came back that I had osteoprosis and very low testosterone. She asked if I had experienced any libido problems or intimate problems(trying to keep this G rated) and I had not. I left her office that day with a ton of prescriptions for vitamin D, calcium, testosterone injections, and of course my hurt man pride. To my surprise, when I asked my wife if I had been less bothersome to her lately(still keeping G rated) she said that she had thought that I was less interested in her and had really been wondering what she could do to change that. I had not even noticed what had been happening, because I was so caught up with this dumb disease. After the injections started, I began to notice what I had lost. Of course this is coming from a guy, but I am sure that this probably messes with a women and her chemical levels. The steroids alone, wreak havoc on both our bones and deplete us of so many things over time.

My rheumy, told me that my long term use of Remicade, 6-mp, and methotrexate were probably the main contributing factors. I have even noticed that since I have started back on the testosterone injections, my body is finally started to gain some muscle mass back again. My tests results had come back with the testosterone level of a 60 year old man and I am only 28. Have you ever been on Remicade? I was on it for nearly 4 years, receiving a 10 dose every 4 weeks along with 6-mp and eventually methotrexate. All of these test results started coming back low, when I started building antibodies toward the remicade and elevated liver enzymes from the other 2 medications. I am not a doctor, but I really feel like maybe this had something to do with it.